KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday ordered immediate release of Rs. 500 million for provincial bone marrow transplantation programme aimed at treatment of kids suffering from blood cancer and other related disorders.
Chairing a meeting of the Sindh health department here, also attended by minister Dr. Azra Pechuho, Sindh Chief Secretary, Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah, he said children already registered with the program must be immediately referred to the National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) or Aga Khan Hospital for required treatment.
Under the province-wide program initiated by the PPP government in 2017-2018, kids suffering from peculiar genetic disorders and belonging to families with limited resources, were provided government support in meeting their medical needs.
The Sindh CM was informed that 169 child patients were assisted in acquiring needed procedure, which is significantly expensive due to high cost of required gadgets and medication.
Syed Murad Ali Shah directed the concerned officials of the health department to also ensure activation of bone marrow wards in public sector tertiary care as well as district hospitals.
He emphasised that qualified transplant surgeons along with well-trained nursing, para-medical and O.T. staff must also be deputed to make the exercise meaningful and actually benefit the patients.
The Chief Minister of Sindh said importance of regular training to update professional capacities of auxiliary staff cannot be ignored and that the government was equally conscious to the needs of nursing and other associated staff serving at the government facilities.
Sindh Health Minister Dr. Pechuho said the department has developed an in-built mechanism of accountability and professional evaluation of the the medical professionals and non-medical professionals associated with the department.
